Interlocking device



PatentedfOct. 4, 1921.

4 SHEIETS-SHEFT1Y A. EGNELL.

INTEBLOCKINQ DEVICE.- APPLICATION FILED 8EPT-.15, I920- A. EGNELL.

v INTERLOCKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- I5, I920.

1,392,630. Patented 00th 4, 1921.

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I127!) 8 .zvbor A. EG NELL. INTERLOCKING DEVICE APPLICATION man SEPT. is. 1920.

Patented 00a 4, 1921.

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consistent with the PATENT OFFICE.

AXEL EGNELL,OF PARIS, FRANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

INTERLOCKING nEvIcE.

' Patcnted'Oct. 4, 1921.

Application filed September 15, 1920. Serial No. 410,565.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, AXEL EGNELL, a subject of the King of Sweden, and residing at 28 Rue de la Bienfaisance, Paris, France, engineer, have invented Interlocking Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Devices adaptedto produce the mechanical interlocking of a number of control members are already in use; these devices are applicable when these control members re ceive for their operation a single movement or eventually two movements reverse from each other.

This invention relates to a device capable of receiving numerous applications and in more complicated cases, when twoor more groups of members are to be interlocked, each member being able to occupy any number of positions which are consistent or inpositions of the members of the other groups.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will be described as applied for obtaining the interlocking of operating levers for railway switches and signals, per itineraries, in a station.

For simplification, it will be supposed that the simple closing of a contact, causing cur rent to be sent to the motors of the points or switches and signals, sufiices for establishing any itinerary.

Itwill also be supposed that the itineraries form groups each comprising the itineraries. issued from one of the station arrival lines. 1

The new device allows of producing the mutual interlocking of any two groups of itineraries and, by superposition, of producing the interlocking of all the groups of possible itineraries in the station.

On the other hand, each group being interlocked with the tWo groups the original line of which is immediately adjacent to its .own original line, the a'djunction to the new device of certain very simple mechanical means usually permitsof producing the mutual interlocking of any of the groups with those which are not already interlocked with the same.

In the form of execution which will be described, the contacts corresponding to the various itineraries are arranged in parallel lines orjrows, each line comprising the contacts of a group of itineraries, the whole jorming a kind ofkeyboard, in front of which, can be moved the members adapted to close the required electric circuits,or to produce any suitable control action,-and to effect at the same time the necessary interlockings so that the itinerariesinconsistent wlth thechosen itinerary cannot bemadeat the same time as the latter.

, These members are substantially constituted' by fingers which can be moved oppo? site the keyboard and to which can be imparted a downward movement when they are opposite the required contact, these-fingers being arranged so as to act directly or indirectly on shutters capable of preventing the movement of the fingers of the control members of the other groups, when this movement would have for efi'ect to establish itineraries inconsistent with that chosen.

The above shutters can be moved by wedges or inclines integral with the control fingers; they may also be actuated by any other suitable means independent or not from the control fingers.

Thus these shutters can be moved by small electric motors capable of rotating inone direction or the other and of pushing the shutters in the required direction toward the right or toward the left, according to the phases of the working.

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, a form'of the new device.

In this drawing,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the arrangement of the'shunting or switching tracks to which the new device is supposed to be applied.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus made according to line AA of the plan view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a section made according to line B-B of Fig. 2.

Fig. tis a plan view. 7 r

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing diagrammatically a modification.

Fig. 6 is a plan view.

. Fig. 7 is a corresponding side view.

, Fig. 8 is a table showing the respective situation of the various itineraries relating to their inconsistencies.

In the example illustrated, the station having tracks arranged as indicated in Fig. 1,-

the possible itineraries are: D--6, D-5, D4, D- -3, (1-4, C-3, C-2, C1. B-6, B5, B4, 13-2. .A-4, A-2.

fixed contacts D, G etc.,

The inconsistencies are indicated on the table of Fig. 8.

It is obvious that all the itineraries D are inconsistent with each other, as well as all the itineraries C and B and A. This has been indicated by the mention I in the corresponding divisions.

By examining this table, it will be seen that, as far as the inconsistencies with the itineraries C are concerned, the itineraries D form four auxiliary groups:

The first D-G, D-5 is consistent with all the itineraries C.

The second D-4 is inconsistent with the itineraries (3-4 and (3-2.

The third D2 is inconsistent with the itineraries C-4t, (1-2 andC-3f The fourth D-3, D-l is inconsistent with all the itineraries C.

In the same way, if for instance the in consistencies of the itineraries B with the itineraries A. are considered, there are two auxiliary groups:

13-6, B5 is consistent eraries A.

B-4:, B-2 is consistent with all the itineraries A.

The new device is adapted to materialize between the control members the inconsistencies of the corresponding itineraries. F or that purpose the above mentioned movable shutters adapted to prevent from acting on the contacts of the itineraries inconsistent with that to be established, are provided with steps corresponding to the above indicated auxiliary groups.

As shown, all the itineraries of the group D are inconsistenet with each other and the same is true respectively for the itineraries C, B and A; thus, it is possible, in the well known manner, to avoid any interlocking between the itineraries of one and the same group by providing a single contact finger for all the itineraries D, C, B or A, this finger being capable of establishing any of the itineraries of its group and only one.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 4:, the device comprises fingers (Z, c, b, a, each integral with a wedge e and an operating handle 7).

These fingers bear upon slides 9 which allow Lhem to be moved according to .the axes d d 0 0 Z2 Z2 (L a Fig. 4, and. to be depressed or withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to come in engagement with arranged at the points of intersection of the lines (Z (Z 0 0 etc., and of the lines 1, 3, 2, etc.

The shutters m, 1 z are constituted by plates cut out as shown in Fig. 4. These shutters are guided by the fixed slides g which allow them to take horizontal movements parallel to the lines 1, 3, 2, etc.

In the example shown, it has been supposed that the itineraries D6 and C4 were established, while the fingers b and a with all the itinare located opposite the contacts corresponding to l32 and A-4.

The examination of the figure shows that it has been possible to depress or drive in the fingers (Z c at the same time, but these lingers being thus driven in, it is not possible to drive in the fingers Z) and 0, this corresponding to the inconsistency of B-2 and A- l with C-et.

It is also easy to understand how the necessary interlockings are alfected:

1-Mutual interlocking of two groups of adjacent itineraries. The shutter 0c effects the interlocking between two adjacent groups D and C.

The shutter must be cut out in such a manner that, if E is the width. of the plate which is between the horns ea @(5 of the two contiguous wedges driven in at the same time, F 2, the spacing apart between two faces of the steps, viz: at and presented between the two adjacent wedges, is equal or less than E when the itineraries are consistent and greater than E when the itineraries are inconsistent.

In the same way, the shutter 1 effects the interlockings between the itineraries C and B, and 2 between B and A.

By super-posing the similar devices, it is obviously possible to interlock the groups D B, D'A, C A, which give the complete interlocking of all the itineraries.

2Simplified interlocking between all the groups of itineraries.

In most cases. it is not necessary to use these supplementary interlocking members.

In fact, the shutters 00, y, 2 are provided, as illustrated in the drawing, with heels 1?, opposite each other, through the medium of which the side thrust imparted to a shutter is transmitted to the following shutters.

Thus, in the example shown, the driving in of the finger 0, coming in contact with (7% has nioduced the interlocking of A4t, although the two groups C and A are not contiguous, because the lateral displacement imparted to the shutter 7 by the driving in of the finger c has been transmitted to the shutter z.

The two shutters and and A, shutter.

As will be understood from the "foregoing, the wedges (2 have two distinct tl'l'lnctionsz lfi-producing the interlocking, which is their main function; 2-prod1icing beforehand a suitable spacing apart of the interlocking plates.

The second function might be accomplished by other means or parts than the members 6; in this case, the inclines may be doneaway with and the members 6 reduced to simple T -members e e e 6', as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7

separating C have operated n this case as a single which gear pinions carriedby motors M M M The latter are direct current series motors, comprising two exciting windings through each of which the current can pass at the same time as it passes through the armature; the direction of rotation is different according to the field magnet which is energized. I

Each member 0 e 6 e, when passing from its raised position to its depressed position, comes in engagement with a spring blade r and brings it in contact with a sec-.

ond blade 1, while at the ends of stroke the contact 1' ,'1- is broken.

There is of course, as many pairs of blades 1' 7' as there are holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, '6.

The connections are established for instance as shown in Fig. 5; it will be seen that if the field-magnets 1' determine the displacement from left to right of the plates at, 3 z and i from right to left, the operation of a member a, b, c, d has for efiect to remove on either side the plates which might interlock therewith.

For instance, ifthe member 5 is-driven in, the left-hand contact is is closed and the current passes through the field-magnet 11 and the armature of themotor M y. The latter then rotates and pushes the plate y toward the left. On the other hand, the current passes also through the field-magnet i and the armature of the motor M a, so that the latter rotatesin the reverse direction relatively to the previous one and pushes the plate 2 towardthe right.

Another circuit is established through the field-magnets l of M y and Z of M 90, thus producing the two following effects:

1the excitation of the field-magnet i of M with this direction of current, reinforces the effect of the field-magnet i of the same motor; 2the passage of the current in the field-magnetz' and the annature of the motor M. a}, determines the displacement from right to left of the plate 00.

Generally speaking, considering any number of platesw, y, z, the driving in of a member a, b determines the rotation in the suitable direction of all the motors of the apparatus. I

It is to be noted that the examples described and shown have been indicated only in order that the principle of the invention may be understood, this invention being capable of receiving numerous other forms of execution. v

It is also to be particularly noted that in the method of execution described, instead of having a single finger per group, any number of fingers might be provided in each group, this number being at most equal to that of the itineraries of the group.

The interlocking shutters, instead of being moved in a plane under the action of wedges carried by the contact fingers, might take a rotary movement about an axis or a point.

On the other hand, the shutter which, in the example chosen, produces the mutual interlocking of the two members to be interlocked, might be replaced by two distinct members; one producing the locking of the first member through the second one, the

other producing the locking of the second member through the first one.

The above arrangements aregiven only by way of example; the forms, dimensions, detail arrangements and materials used may be varied according to circumstances without departing thereby from the principle of the invention.

Claims: i

1. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to guide lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, cut out members movable accord ing to other lines, a cut out member being interposed between the paths of two adja cent control members, projecting parts on the edges of the cut out parts controlling the possible positions of the control members.

2. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to guide lines,'eacl1 capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, contacts with which these control members come in engagement, cut out members movable according to other lines, a cut 1 out member being interposed between the paths of two adjacent control members, projecting parts on the edges of the cut out parts controlling the possible positions of the control members.

3. In an interlocking device, controlmembers movable according to guide lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, cut out members movable according to other lines, a cut out member being interposed between the paths of two adjacent control members, pro ecting parts on the edges of the cut out parts controlling the possible positions of the control members, means tending to remove two successive cut out members when the intermediate control member is operated.

4;. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to guide lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, cut out members movable according to other lines, a cut out member being interposed between the paths of two adjacent control members, the cut out parts forming projecting portions corresponding to the itineraries, the said cut out parts controlling the possible positions 01 the control members, projecting parts on the edges of the cut out parts controlling the possible positions of the'control members.

5. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to guide lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, cut out members movable according to other lines, a cut out member being interposed between the paths of two adjacent control members, projecting parts on the edges of the out out parts controlling the possible positions of the control members, means through the medium of which a cut out member acts, when it is moved, on the otl or cut out members.

6. In an interlocking device, control members mo able according to parallel lines and each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, out out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive con trol members and movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out parts and controlling the possible positions of the control members.

7. In an interlocking device, control me1n bers movable according to parallel lines and each capable of taking ,a series of positions on these lines, contacts with which these control members come in engagement, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control membersand movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out outparts and controlling the possible positions of the control members.

8. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines and each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, out out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out parts and controlling the possible positions of the control members, means tending to remove two successive cut out members when the intermediate con rol member is operated.

9. In an interlocking'device, control members movable according to parallel lines and each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable at right angles to the above lines, the out out parts forming projecting portions corresponding to the itineraries, the said out out parts controlling the possible positions of the control members, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out parts and controlling the possible positions of the control members.

10. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines and each capableof taking a series of positions on these lines, cut out members inter posed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out parts and control.- ling the possible positions of the control members, means through the medium of which a cut out member acts, when it is moved, on the other out out members.

11. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on theselines and capable of being moved at right angles to the plane of the said lines, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out members controlling the possible positions of the control members.

12. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines and capable of being moved at right angles to the plane of the said lines, contacts with which these control members come in engagement, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable'at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said cutout members con trolling the possible positions of the control members. I

13. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines and capable of being moved at right angles to the plane of the said lines, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out members controlling the possible positions of the control members, means tending to remove two successive cut out members when the intermediate control member is operated.

14:. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines and capable of being moved at right angles to the plane of the said lines, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive control members and movable at right angles to the above lines, cut out parts forming projecting portions corresponding to the itineraries, the said out out parts controlling the possible positions of the control members; projecting parts on the edges of the said out out members controlling the possible positions of the control members.

15. In an interlocking device, control members movable according to parallel lines, each capable of taking a series of positions on these lines and capable of being moved at right angles to the plane of the said lines, cut out members interposed between the paths of two consecutive co trol m m ers and movable at right angles to the above lines, projecting parts on the edges of the said out out members controlling the possible positions of the control members, means through the medium of which a cut out member acts, when it is moved, on the other out out members.

16. In an interlocking device, contacts forming a keyboard, members movable according to certain lines of the keyboard and capable of coming in engagement with the said contacts, shutters having a movement of translation at right angles to the drivingin movement of the said members, means for moving the shutters when the said contact members are driven in.

17. In an interlocking device, contacts forming a keyboard, members movable according to certain lines of the keyboard and capable ofcoming in engagement with the said contacts, by a movement at right angles to the said lines, shutters having a movement of translation at right angles to the drivingin movement of the said members, means for moving the shutters when the said contac members are driven in. Y

18. In an interlocking device, contacts forming a keyboard, fingers movable according to certain lines of the keyboard and capable of coming in engagement with the said contacts, shutters having a movement of translation at right angles to the drivingin movement of the said fingers, means for moving the shutters when the said contact fingers are driven in.

19. In an interlocking device, contacts forming a keyboard, members movable according to certain lines of the keyboard and capable of coming in engagement with the said contacts, shutters havlng a movement of translation at right angles to the driving in movement of the said members, wedges or inclines integral with the control members for moving the shutters when the said con tact members are driven in, means for moving the shutters when the said contact members are driven in. v I

20. In an interlocking device, contacts forming a keyboard, members movable ac-' cording to certain lines of the keyboard and capable of coming in engagement with the said contacts, shutters having a movement of translation at right angles to the driving-in movement of the said members, means for moving the shutters when the said contact members are driven in, heel pieces on the out out plates or members and through which these plates or members push each other. i

The foregoing specificationof my interlocking device signed my me this 2nd day of September, 1920.

AXEL EGNELL. 

